They had been scheduled to speak on Tuesday at National Council of Provinces (NCOP) public hearings which were intended to take "Parliament to the people".

Oliphant could not attend because she was in Cape Town, said her spokesperson Musa Zondi. "... She sent an apology to the NCOP," he said.

Joemat-Pettersson was not there because of "unforeseen circumstances", said her spokesperson Palesa Mokomela. "She will go there tomorrow [Thursday]," she said.

Molewa had been unable to attend because she was "off sick", said her spokesperson Mandla Mathebula.

The Sowetan reported on Wednesday that Nkwinti addressed a business breakfast in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning, and arrived in De Aar only after the public hearing had ended.

Comment from his spokesperson could not be immediately obtained.

NCOP chairperson Mninwa Mahlangu told people at the hearing that it wanted Ministers, as the government's leaders, to address residents' concerns.

"We have been having a bit of a problem today [Tuesday], particularly with the ministers," he said.

"It was not the intention. It was actually that the leadership of government was [meant] to respond to your questions."

Comments

MallyGold - 2012-11-08 08:08

The 4 Cabinet ministers who failed to attend the imbizo in De Aar should have their services terminated with immediate effect. They are clearly useless in their jobs and their feeble excuses are unacceptable lies. They have collectively shown utter contempt for duty and responsibility which is the very reason they were selected for office in the first place.